What Women Want for Africa Beyond 2015

The Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD), in conjunction with FEMNET, Akina Mama wa Afrika, Ipas Africa Alliance, Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) and World YWCA, will host a discussion on Gender Equality and Post 2015 on January 22, 2014 in Addis Ababa. The objectives of the discussion, which is a side event as part of the 22nd African Union Summit, will be to share and develop strategies to popularize African women’s priorities and concerns as well as their recommended goals and targets and, through dialogue with members of the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Sherpas of the Africa High Level Committee on Post 2015, enrich the Common African Position on Post 2015 so as to reflect the realities, aspirations and ambitions of African women.

Most African countries have reported impressive economic growth in the past decade, although much of this growth has not addressed gender and income inequalities and have not yielded decent jobs and wages. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were formulated with a focus on social development. Although not comprehensive, the goals brought to light the importance of investments in gender equality, health, education and environmental sustainability. To sustain the momentum brought by MDGs, Africa must commit to a Post 2015 development framework that is inclusive, reduces income poverty, creates decent jobs, enhances the quality of and access to social services, reduces inequalities and promotes environmental sustainability.

The expected 50 participants to this event will include representatives from missions in Addis Ababa, Sherpas, and participants from civil society, media and UN Agencies. The event will begin with the ACORD documentary “Hear The Voices” that focuses on what Kenyans would like to see in Post 2015. Following the film, there will be presentations and panel discussions. See the Programme.At the end of the session, it is expected that participants will appreciate the importance of mainstreaming gender throughout all the proposed goals of the Common African Position, as well as the adoption of a standalone goal on gender that address gender inequalities.

This should result in greater visibility on issues of gender equality, women’s rights and empowerment and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in the CAP endorsed by African Heads of State.The outcomes of this meeting will be carried forward to the “Gender is My Agenda” Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting taking place from the 23rd – 24th of January, and shared with government delegations and other stakeholders during the AU Summit. The African Union Summit will take place in Addis Ababa from January 24 to 31, 2014. The theme of this year’s Summit is “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity, through harnessing opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable development.” During the Summit, Heads of State will also be presented with the Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda for their feedback and endorsement.